Chelsea has reached an agreement with Crystal Palace for the transfer of defender Maxence Lacroix, according to BBC Sport. The France international is expected to sign a long-term contract with Chelsea, reportedly running until 2032, after undergoing a medical within the next 24 hours. Personal terms are not anticipated to be an issue.
The agreement between the two London clubs was negotiated at the ownership level. Crystal Palace had been seeking approximately £60 million for the centre-back.
Lacroix, 26, was a key player for Crystal Palace last season, making 55 appearances across all competitions. He featured in the team that won the Uefa Conference League, the club's first major European trophy, and contributed to their strong Premier League campaign. His performances also earned him a place in France's squad for the 2026 World Cup, where he made three appearances.
Crystal Palace signed Lacroix from German club Wolfsburg in August 2024 for an initial fee of £15.5 million, with potential add-ons of £2.6 million. Since his arrival, he has established himself as a consistent defender in the Premier League.